EP0990584B1 - Marine anchor of the flat type - Google Patents

Abstract

The marine anchor comprises two coplanar flukes (1,2) either side the shank (3). The fluke points extend to the free front end of the shank on which the anchor chain is fixed. The fluke heels (4) are connected to a rectangular tubular section (5) forming part of a heavy rocker (6) and to a rod (7) passing perpendicularly through the section. These constitute an assembly in which the rear end (8) of the shank can articulate around the rod. The heavy rocker comprises a set of tie rods (12,13) and struts (14) forming the edges of a pyramid structure (15) leaving totally free spaces (16,17) between the tubular section and the rear ends (18,19) of the structure.

Description

As for all ships, arming a boat must include an anchor, the purpose of which is to hang on at the bottom of the sea so as to constitute a point of restraint.

Given the constraints of space, lightness and cost to which this equipment must satisfy, without sacrificing efficiency, we have long used anchors called "flat anchors".

These include, arranged symmetrically on either side of the penis, two coplanar legs, still called shovels, of which the heels are connected to a rock solid mass to form a set on which articulates the rear end of said rod and whose tips extend towards the free anterior end of the penis which contains the organ on which fix the flexible link, chain or hawser, connecting the anchor to the ship.

These anchors, which are equally suitable for funds sandy, because of the importance of the active surfaces of their shovels, the rocky bottoms, because of the sharp points of their shovels, have known many improvements since their appearance.

In particular, the French patent application FR-A-2,457,801, published on December 26, 1980, describes an anchor of this type whose legs or shovels have a general shape recalling that of a franciscus. This geometry particular favors even more the holding of the anchor in the soft bottoms.

In order to solve congestion problems, the French patent application FR-A-2,690,410, published on October 29, 1993, discloses a demountable marine anchor having legs or shovels similar to those described in application FR-A-2,457,801 and a jas constituting the axis of articulation of the penis relative to the assembly formed by the two legs and the solid mass of rocker. A special design of the rocking mass makes it possible to assemble or to easily dismount the legs, the penis and the jas. When the anchor is mounted, the jas laterally overflows paws at the roots of their heels and, as well it has been said, it serves as the axis of articulation to the penis.

In the two aforementioned French patent applications, the weighbridge of the anchor is realized in the form of a dihedron whose two faces are full, trapezoidal and symmetrical with respect to the plane defined by the two shovels. This massif is therefore a shoulder that, as soon as it is retained by a roughness of the sandy bottom, helps by its shape to tilt shovels and taking them in the bottom. When the shovels are engaged in the sandy bottom, the face of the rock mass which is then the lowest of the two faces lie substantially flat on the bottom, but without sinking into it.

The anchor described in application FR-A-2,690,410 provides that both sides of the rocker bed each have a light which serves as a useful handle for the handling of the anchor and which is also used for stabilize the anchor during penetration of the shovels into the sandy bottom. The edges of this light are indeed as many roughnesses between the bottom and the face of the rocking mass in contact with said bottom, these asperities improving in consequence the stability of the anchor during its penetration into the bottom. The face of the rocking mass in contact with the bottom does not sink so far into this one since the solid parts of said face which surround the light prevent such depression.

We also know that the more the shovels sink in the sandy bottom, the more they access a dense and consistent material, therefore more resistant to sliding and stalling of the anchor. The shape of the shovels then advantageously contributes to a good catch of the anchor since their active surfaces are closer to the tips, so deep in the ground in its consistent part.

Other embodiments of the rocker mass, to mount the removable elements of the anchor are known from the state of the technical.

U.S. Patent No. 4,763,597, issued Aug. 16, 1988, describes a rock solid mass in the form of a box parallelepipedic, having inside means for fixing the legs solidarity with jas and penis.

The removable anchor described in the US patent US-A-5005508, published April 9, 1991, comprises a rocking mass in the form of pyramid trunk which consists of a single section of metal tube. The four faces of this truncated pyramid, and in particular its two suitable faces, one or the other, to come in contact with the sandy bottom when shoveling shovels then when the latter sink into the bottom are full and, by way of Consequently, that of these two faces which is in contact with the bottom rests on this one without sinking.

According to the state of the art recalled above, many improvements have made anchors of the "anchor plate" type efficient, because they are the ones that offer the best skirmishes in the sandy bottom, and, for some of them, not cumbersome because their jas is in general short.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to optimize the realization a sea anchor, efficient, light and simple, by development of all criteria favoring deep penetration.

It more precisely relates to a marine anchor of the "flat anchor" type, comprising, arranged symmetrically on both sides of the penis, two coplanar legs whose tips extend towards the end free anterior of the penis which contains the organeau on which the link is fixed flexible, chain or hawser, connecting the anchor to the ship.

According to additional features known from this type of anchor, the heels of the legs are connected on the one hand to a tubular profile of rectangular section forming part of a rocking mass and, on the other hand, at a rod perpendicularly crossing this section from side to side to form a together in which the posterior end of the penis is articulated around the rod.

The essential characteristic of the marine anchor according to the invention is that the rocking mass further comprises a set of tie rods and spacers forming the edges of a pyramidal structure attached to the tubular profile and leaving completely free spaces between said profile and the rear ends of said structure.

Such spaces therefore further promote the burial of the anchor, whose shovels can thus penetrate even more deeply in the background and reach even more consistent areas, hence an improvement in the holding of the anchor after taking. Indeed, the spaces completely free from the rocking mass allow the passage of sand nets and of silt from the sandy bottom, thus an even deeper burial of shovels of the anchor, since the brake created by the solid parts of the faces of the massifs of all known anchors is eliminated in the anchor according to the invention.

Preferably, the tie rods and the spacers are full or sufficiently rigid.

An additional feature of the anchor according to the invention is that the front edges of the faces of the profile parallel to the plane of the legs are set back from the front edges of the profile faces adjacent to said legs and are located at a distance from the stem as the angle opening of the pen relative to the legs is limited to a given value, preferably 30 °.

Very advantageously, the general form of legs recalls that of a francisque who would have the rod for sleeve, or axis of symmetry.

According to still other characteristics of the anchor according to the invention, the outer front parts of the legs are sharpened and the penis is profiled, having a cross-section whose dimension in one direction parallel to the rod is smaller than the dimension in the orthogonal direction. A such construction of the paws, on the one hand, of the penis on the other hand concurs this time still to favor the burial of the anchor.

According to an embodiment variant of the anchor according to the invention, the rod constituting the axis of articulation of the pen overflowing laterally the roots of the heels of the shovels, to form a jas.

An additional feature of the anchor according to the above variant is that the rear ends of the structure pyramidal are seen from each end of the jas at a low angle opening, preferably 30 °.

Preferably, the material used for the production the anchor is steel or an aluminum alloy or a plastic material and, very advantageously, the tie rods and the spacers are welded together and on said profile, or rigidly connected to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1a is a top view of a first variant of the marine anchor according to the invention, having a short jas.

Figure 1b is a top view of a second variant embodiment without jas.

Figure 2 is a top view of the rear section of the anchor of Figure 1a or 1b.

Figures 3 and 4 are respectively a side view and a back view of the same part.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the part rear of the anchor shown in Figure 1a.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

References to Figures 1a and 1b will be used to explain the different features of the invention.

Both forms of execution of the anchor represented have two legs 1 and 2, also called shovels, planes and coplanar, articulated on a rod 3 constituting an axis of symmetry for these tabs.

The two legs are secured to one another by their heels 4, which are connected on the one hand to a tubular section section 5 rectangular part of office rocking mass 6 and on the other hand to a rod 7 traversing from side to side the profile 5 to form a set on which is articulated around the rod 7, the rear end 8 of the penis 3. The tubular section 5 is thus a kind of cage in which is introduced the posterior end 8 of the rod 3. This profile is either a section of tube of rectangular section, obtained by the meeting of four plates arranged parallel two by two and welded together. The tips 9 and 10 of the shovels 1 and 2 are turned towards the other end 11 of the penis which receives the organelle of link to the chain.

The flip-flop 6, in addition to the tubular section 5, is consisting of a set of tie rods 12, 13 and spacers 14 forming the edges a pyramidal structure 15 integral with this section 5 and leaving spaces completely free 16, 17 between it and the rear ends 18, 19 of the structure, as shown in detail in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5. The spacers laterally 14 are advantageously curved and concavity facing backwards from the anchor.

The longitudinal tie rods 13 are welded on the one hand on the front of the lateral faces 20, 21 of the profile 5 and on the other hand on spacers side 14 welded to the rear of these same side faces 20, 21. The tie rods 12 connect the longitudinal tie rods 13 and the lateral spacers 14 on each side between them.

In addition to ensuring sufficient resistance to the anchor assembly, the transverse tie rods 12 contribute to a good rocker end. It is indeed one or other of these two tie rods 12 that will trigger the tilting the anchor forward and burying it in the bottom as soon as it goes to be held back by an asperity.

The space 16 or, according to, 17 left free between the tie rod transverse 12 bearing on the seabed and the back of the section 5 facilitates the penetration of the anchor in the bottom. Indeed, thanks to this pyramidal structure mesh, the rocking scale retains its primary function of contributing to the tipping shovels, but it does not have the disadvantage of presenting a master important couple opposing his depression.

In other words, the interest of such a rocking scale is that, at the time of taking, it causes the same toggle effect as that obtained with known anchors but then, at the time of deep penetration, it leaves thanks to its spaces 16 and 17 completely open a free passage nets sand and mud. The rocking mass sinks in turn in the background sandy and, as a result, the anchor shovels burrow further deeper into the sandy bottom and thus reach areas more consistent. The anchor according to the invention is therefore even more resistant stall.

In addition, the anchor is also lightened by compared to the achievements of the prior art in which the massif was constituted by an assembly of solid plates. The center of gravity of the anchor according the invention is thus moved somewhat further forward, relative to a anchor in all respects identical with the exception of its rocking mass whose faces are full, and, by this simple fact, its tipping is easier and its catch in the background is faster. Such a catch is also improved relative to the anchor anterior to the extent that his massive rocking can now bury itself in the bottom, thus allowing the active surfaces of the legs 1, 2 of penetrate deeper the area of the said bottom in which the substance is consistent and consistent, so more resistant.

The faces 22, 23 of the profile 5 parallel to the plane of the tabs 1, 2 have anterior edges 24, 25 set back from the edges anterior 26, 27 side faces 20, 21 adjacent said tabs.

The movement of the rod 3 around the rod 7 is thus limited by the stops constituted by these front edges 24, 25 which are advantageously chamfered so as to form a bearing surface for the penis. This deflection is of the order of 30 ° on either side of the plane of the legs 1, 2.

In the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1a, the rod 7, on which are welded the roots of the heels 4 lugs 1 and 2, has a length greater than the total width thereof. She therefore protrudes laterally from the heels, and consequently plays the role of a jas. In this variant, the axis constituting the articulation of the yard 3 relative to the massif of rocker and jas are thus confused.

A compromise is made between lateral stability anchor that we wish important, provided by a long jas, and a clutter of the anchor all the more reduced as the jas is short. The length jas ideally depends on the height of the rock solid mass 6 which must be large enough to favor the longitudinal tilting of the legs, but low enough not to interfere with burial and to avoid tipping side of the legs, in which case a differential depression would be the cause of a lower hold of the anchor.

The relative dimensions of tie rods 12 and 13, spacers 14 and jas 7 having given the best results are such that the rear ends 18, 19 of the pyramidal structure 15 are seen from each end 28, 29 of jas 7 at a low opening angle, of the order of 30 °.

In the second embodiment of the invention, the rod 7 serves more simply to strengthen the attachment of the roots of the heels 4 of the legs 1 and 2 on the rocking mass 6 and axis of rotation of the verge 3. It has no effect on the stability of the anchor, but the whole has a larger footprint reduced possible.

In both cases, as represented on 1a and 1b, the anchors according to the invention advantageously have a shape general, reminiscent of a Franciscan, whose neck, or axis of symmetry, would be constituted by the verge 3.

This form, which is in no way limiting since the particularity of the invention lies in completely free spaces 16, 17 created in the rock mass, it is known to benefit from contributing to give the anchors a better grip and a better stability.

Always with the aim of furthering the depression in the bottom of this type of franciscan anchors, the parts outer front 30 and 31 of the legs 1 and 2 are advantageously sharpened. For the same purpose, verge 3 is contoured, as schematically shown in Figure 4, showing the rock solid mass 6 seen from the rear, and inside the posterior end 8 of the penis 3. The general shape of the cross-section of the verge 3 is that of a rhombus or a rectangle whose angles are advantageously cut.

A/ Essais sur fond de sable compact, à une profondeur de 5 mètres

1) Ancre Britany
Ancre accrochée, tension de décrochage 400 Kg

2) Ancre CQR
Ancre accrochée, tension de décrochage 500 Kg

3) Ancre Bruce
L'ancre ne croche pas, tension 0

4) Ancre Fortress
Ancre accrochée, tension maximale sans décrochage 1 490 Kg

5) Ancre selon l'invention
Ancre accrochée, tension de décrochage 1 350 Kg

B/ Essais sur fond vaseux avant le port du Légué

1) Ancre Britany
Ancre accrochée, tension de décrochage 450 Kg

2) Ancre CQR
Ancre accrochée, tension de décrochage 600 Kg

3) Ancre Bruce
Ancre accrochée, tension de décrochage 500 Kg

4) Ancre Fortress
Ancre accrochée après avoir été trainée, tension de décrochage 1 250 Kg

5) Ancre selon l'invention
Ancre accrochée en prise immédiate, tension de décrochage 800 Kg

C/ Essais sur fond recouvert de maerl et de gravillons

1) Ancre Fortress
Après plusieurs tentatives, l'ancre ne s'est pas accrochée.

2) Ancre selon l'invention
Ancre accrochée en prise immédiate, tension de décrochage 400 Kg

3) Ancre Bruce
Ancre légèrement accrochée, tension de décrochage 250 Kg

Following comparative tests carried out on 29 September 1998 under the control of Bureau Veritas Marine Division, in France in the Bay of Saint-Brieux, the effectiveness of the anchor according to the invention and the confirmation of its performance far superior to that of the known anchors are expressed in a striking way on reading the following results:

A / Tests on a bottom of compact sand, at a depth of 5 meters

1) Britany anchor
Anchor hooked, stalling tension 400 Kg

2) CQR Anchor
Anchor hooked, stalling tension 500 Kg

3) Bruce Anchor
Anchor does not quench, tension 0

4) Fortress Anchor
Anchor hooked, maximum tension without stall 1 490 Kg

5) Anchor according to the invention
Anchor hooked, stalling tension 1,350 Kg

B / Tests on muddy bottom before the wearing of the Légué

1) Britany anchor
Anchor hooked, stalling tension 450 Kg

2) CQR Anchor
Anchor hooked, stalling tension 600 Kg

3) Bruce Anchor
Anchor hooked, stalling tension 500 Kg

4) Fortress Anchor
Anchor hooked up after being dragged, stalling tension 1,250 Kg

5) Anchor according to the invention
Anchor hooked in immediate catch, stalling tension 800 Kg

C / Tests on a background covered with maerl and chippings

1) Fortress Anchor
After several attempts, the anchor did not catch.

2) Anchor according to the invention
Anchor hooked in immediate catch, stalling tension 400 Kg

3) Bruce Anchor
Anchor slightly hooked, stalling tension 250 Kg

These tests are summarized in the following table, also prepared by Bureau Veritas.

All the anchors tested are 12 kg anchors, commonly used on sailing cruisers. The measures were taken in sea, on the edge of the Binic coast and at the entrance of the Port du Légué, in conditions closest to actual use, always using the same boat, a fishing vessel called "The Ideal of the Seas", equipped with a motor of 200 horses. Each anchor received the same mooring chain, of the same linear weight and the same length. This chain, wet from behind, came attach to a fixed point in the middle of the boat. The mooring process was identical for all anchors. The weather was the same for all tests, calm with a flat sea surface, slightly rough during the tests on a floor made of maerl.

A diver, equipped with an underwater camera, observed underwater the behavior of each anchor so as to provide precise information on how the anchors tested worked.

Stalling tensions were measured using the same material, namely a mechanical dynamometer comprising a chain steel 100 meters long and 6 millimeters in diameter.

The anchors according to the invention are preferably constructed of A36 steel or aluminum alloy or plastic. The tie rods and spacers are preferably solid rods, or less rigid, bent in appropriate form, and welded or bound securely between them.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to only modes of execution above, given by way of example; she kisses, at contrary, all possible variants of implementation.

Claims (10)

1. Marine anchor of the "flat" type, consisting of two coplanar flukes (1, 2), located symmetrically on either side of the shaft (3), the points (9, 10) of which flukes extend to the free front extremity (11) of said shaft (3) containing the ring to which the flexible link, chain or hawser, connecting the anchor to the ship, is fixed, and the heels (4) of which flukes are connected on one hand to a tubular profile (5) of rectangular section forming part of a bascule mass (6), and on the other hand to a stem (7) passing at right angles straight through the said profile (5) to make a whole in which the rear extremity (8) of the shaft (3) is articulated around the stem (7) ;
      characterised in that the bascule mass (6) contains a set of struts (12, 13) and crosspieces (14) forming the ridges of a pyramidal structure (15) solid with the profile (5) and allowing completely free spaces (16, 17) between the said profile (5) and the rear extremities (18, 19) of the said structure (15).
2. Anchor according to claim 1, characterised in that the struts (12, 13) and the crosspieces (14) are solid.
3. Anchor according to either of claims 1 and 2,
   characterised in that the front edges (24, 25) of the faces (22, 23) of the profile (5) running parallel to the plane of the flukes (1, 2) are positioned back from the front edges (26, 27) of the faces (20, 21) of the profile (5) adjacent to the flukes and are located at such a distance from the stem (7) that the angle of opening of the shaft (3) in relation to the flukes (1, 2) is limited to a given value, preferably 30°.
4. Anchor according to any of claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that the general shape of the flukes (1, 2) is similar to that of a battleaxe, with the shaft (3) as its handle or axis of symmetry.
5. Anchor according to any of Claims 1 to 4,
   characterised in that the outer front parts (30, 31) of the flukes (1, 2) are sharpened.
6. Anchor according to any of Claims 1 to 5,
   characterised in that the shaft (3) has a profile of straight section of which the dimension in a direction parallel to the stem (7) is less than the dimension in an orthogonal direction.
7. Anchor according to any of Claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in that the struts (12, 13) and crosspieces (14) are welded to each other and onto the profile (5) or connected together rigidly.
8. Anchor according to any of Claims 1 to 7,
   characterised in that the stem (7) making up the axis of articulation of the shaft (3) protrudes laterally over the roots of the heels (4) of the flukes (1, 2) in order to produce a stock.
9. Anchor according to Claim 8, characterised in that the rear extremities (18, 19) of the pyramidal structure (15) are viewed from each extremity (28, 29) of the stock (7) with a low-opening angle, preferably 30°.
10. Anchor according to any of Claims 1 to 9,
    characterised in that the material of which it is made is steel, an aluminium alloy or a plastic.

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